Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the claims must be remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to ensure compliance with prior remand directives for a proper examination of the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of lower back, left hip, and bilateral knee disabilities as secondary to service-connected residuals of a tibia and fibula fracture due to the Veteran's failure to appear at scheduled examinations. The VA will attempt to schedule new VA examinations.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and remanded the increased rating claims for the thoracolumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as additional medical opinions regarding her claimed right foot, left foot, bilateral ankle, bilateral knee, bilateral hip, low back, joint pain, eye, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left and right knee conditions due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's right knee arthritis, right knee instability, and PTSD due to changes in his disability picture over time. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for these conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee DJD have been rated at the minimum of 30 percent, but the Board found no evidence to support higher ratings based on additional functional loss or instability.

The Veteran's right and left knee DJD have been rated at the minimum of 30 percent each, based on limitation of motion. The Board found no evidence to support higher ratings for instability or other conditions.

The Veteran's left knee PFS is being remanded for further examination and rating consideration.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate for determining whether the Veteran's right knee, left hip, and right hip disorders are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The claims are therefore being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted at a 50% evaluation. Service connection for left trigeminal nerve dysfunction and loss of sense of smell (anosmia) are granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The right knee disability and left knee disability secondary to the left knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the claims for service connection for various hand and finger disabilities, right knee disability, hepatitis C, and left thumb fracture residuals. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain the Veteran's service personnel records and associated treatment records, as these may document his service in Vietnam and contain pertinent information for his claims on appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but remanded them due to insufficient evidence or further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete range of motion testing.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hip condition and bilateral knee disability due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's lay statements, private treatment records, and service history are considered in determining whether his current conditions are related to active duty service.